NEW!  Great resource posted by White County United Way.  It will be updated often at their website.  Review and download this information directory.

• NEW!  Mayor Gross and our city heroes ask you to be a hero, too.  Please review this publich health and safety message.  Stay at Home, Stay Safe, and Save Lives.
• UPDATE!  Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has extended the State Emergency Declaration to May 5th, 2020.  In order to continue to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Governor is ordering Hoosiers to stay at home for two more weeks beyond the original April 7th deadline to April 20th.   Review the updated Governor's Order.
  • Review the FAQs about the 'Stay at Home' order.

In-Person School Classes Ended for School Year.  Gov. Eric Holcomb declared an end to in-person classes in Indiana schools for this school year at his daily briefing Thursday.  Schools will remain closed through the rest of the school year. Schools must switch to remote learning.  After the governor's announcement, the IHSAA said the spring sports season would be canceled.


Twin Lakes School Lunch Pick-up is Monday, April 6th.  Please click link below to fill out request form.  Each child 18 and under will receive a 10 Meal Pack (5 breakfasts/5 lunches) intended to cover the Week of April 6th-10th.  Because of recent state and federal guideline changes, distribution will ONLY happen at ROOSEVELT MIDDLE SCHOOL this week.

Click to fill and submit your lunch Pick-up Form.

NEW!  The CDC (Fed. Govt.) has increased its 15 days to Slow the Spread to 45 days.  The latest update to the 15 day warning shows the additional 30 days.

Review the update:  30 Days to Slow the Spread

  NEW!  Great resource posted by White County United Way.  It will be updated often at their website.  Review and download this information directory.

• NEW!  US Chamber of Commerce has released a fact sheet about emergency loans provided to small businesses.  A simple overview can be reviewed by clicking here.
• Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb updated plans to reduce the spread of COVID-19 ordering Hoosiers to stay at home.  The order is in effect from March 25 to April 7.   Review the Governor's Order.
  • Review the FAQs about the 'Stay at Home' order.
• Mayor Cathy Gross has declared a pulbic health/local disaster emergency.  Review the full announcement here.

Reminders to all, we are still in the beginning stages of the 'Slow the Spread' and Indiana's 'Stay at Home' order.  New information from the CDC is available.  We encourage you to review:



Let's end this update with a little lighthearted, but important message:

Click to review the 15 Days to Slow the Spread Document

Updated March 30, 2020 to reflect latest information from the White House and CDC

The White House and CDC (Fed. Govt.) released Coronavirus Guidelines for America.  The goal of this communication is to slow the spread of the Coronavirus over the next 15 days. The communication highlights:

• health guidelines
• work and schools
• social gatherings
• bars/restaurants
• discretionary travel
• visiting nursing homes
• asst. living facilities
• practicing good hygiene

It is important for all citizens to review this document and share it with friends and neighbors.

  Review the White County Health Department Notice - 2nd Case March 30, 2020 at 2:15PM

  Review the White County Health Department Notice - 1st Case March 27, 2020 at 5:19PM

The City of Monticello has just been notified that White County has its first and second confirmed case of COVID-19. This official notice does not change any of the Mayor’s Executive Orders.

This reaffirms the Governor’s Executive Orders and reinforces the need for all of us to stay at home.

Stay Home, Stay Safe, & Healthy.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today signed a new executive order in a continuing effort to slow the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Click here to see the executive order: https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm

Gov. Holcomb outlined these new additional efforts in the executive order:

• The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has suspended the one-week waiting period that is required before paying unemployment benefits to allow claimants to receive their checks more quickly. The suspension is retroactive to March 8, 2020.
• Hoosiers with chronic health issues will be able to receive a 90-day supply of their non-controlled prescription medication, such as insulin or cholesterol medications.
• Medicaid recipients can use their benefits to cover costs of using alternate forms of transportation, such as ride-sharing services, for appointments to see their healthcare providers.
• The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) has additional funding flexibility to allow for additional home delivery of meals and certain restrictions on time/sibling requirements to child care homes.
• The Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) has extended deadlines related to local government finances including property tax exemption applications.

  Great resource posted by White County United Way.  It will be updated often at their website.  Review and download this information directory.

• Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb gave a new address at noon Monday updating plans to reduce the spread of COVID-19 ordering Hoosiers to stay at home.  The order is in effect from March 25 to April 7.   Review the Governor's Order.
  • Review the FAQs about the 'Stay at Home' order.
• Mayor Cathy Gross has declared a pulbic health/local disaster emergency.  Review the full announcement here.

Business Assistance

• Patroncity is a crowdsourcing/fundraising website specifically geared toward small communities especially during the COVID-19 'Stay at Home' order. 
• The GoFundMe.org Small Business Relief Fund will provide micro-grants to qualifying small businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

• The state is encouraging small businesses struggling at this time to apply for up to $2 million in loans from the federal government. You can find more information on how to apply by clicking here.

Our neighbors need us. From the service professionals without childcare to the small business owners experiencing loss of income, we see the mounting pressure of community recovery ahead.

We are here to help.

The White County United Way Board of Trustees has elected to establish a Community Relief Fund to support those agencies and programs who are most impacted by the closures and increased demand for services.

If you would like to make a donation to this discretionary community fund, please follow the links on this page to submit payment to our PayPal portal. Between March 19 and the end of the State of Emergency, all donations made through our online links to PayPal will be earmarked for community-based relief of the negative effects of our Covid-19 Emergency. We thank you for your contributions and your dedication to our community in these trying times.

Together, we win!

Small Business Assistance Websites/Documents

Please update your business information.  The State of Indiana and the Small Business Association have updated their information area offering assistance to small businesses.  This information changes often.  Currently:

• A standing program that can still be utilized is the Economic Disaster Loan Program, can be up to $2 million as long as the applicant is credit worthy--direct or indirectly affected by covid-19.
• Express Bridge loans up to $25,000 for businesses that currently have relationships with Express Lenders, this is quicker & requires less paperwork
• Forgivable loans may be coming but no definitive guidance yet. Businesses can visit: https://www.sba.gov/coronavirus

Patroncity Crowdsourcing Offer

Patroncity is a crowdsourcing/fundraising website specifically geared toward small communities especially during the COVID-19 'Stay at Home' order. 

Patronicity is working to keep vital organizations alive. Patroncity is waiving all fees on small business non-matched crowdfunding campaigns that go live before May 15th. Knowing that cash flow is important, we’ll allow rolling funds distribution before the campaign ends. Our team will provide free coaching, helping small business owners walk through the steps of the campaign, and help develop creative fundraising ideas (i.e. gift cards, online services, etc) that will help engage their community.

Resources for Small Businesses:

• Learn how to create a crowdsourced campaign
• Review Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
• Learn best practices in setup and rollout of your crowdsourced campaign (PDF)

Small Business Relief Fund

The GoFundMe.org Small Business Relief Fund will provide micro-grants to qualifying small businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Small Business Relief Fund is part of the Small Business Relief Initiative : a program supported by
GoFundMe, Yelp, and Intuit QuickBooks. The Small Business Relief Initiative will supply financial assistance and support to businesses across the country by providing grants, tools, and resources to help during the crisis.

The Small Business Relief Fund will provide one-time matching grants to qualifying small businesses to help alleviate the financial burdens during these pressing times. Donations to the relief fund will be paid out as grants to businesses that qualify.

To qualify for a matching grant from the Small Business Relief Fund:
a.  Start a GoFundMe Fundraiser and raise at least $500
b.  Verify that your small business has been negatively impacted by a government mandate due to the COVID-19 pandemic
c.  Verify your small business is independently owned and operated, and must not be nationally dominant in your field of operation.

Each recipient of the matching grant must intend on using the funds to help care for your employees or pay ongoing business expenses.

Resources

• Small Businesses - Learn about GoFundMe Small Business Relief.  Click top links for information about GoFundMe and how to start fundraising.
• Individuals - You can help 3 ways
  • Find a local business to donate to (site is currently overloaded .. if an error, return later)
  • Start a GoFundMe fundraiser for a local business (see above)
  • Donate to the GoFundMe Small Business Relief Fund (see right side) to support many small business across the country
• Corporations can make donations to the fund.  To learn how you can be a part of this movement scroll to the bottom of this page.

  Review Governor's Stay at Home Order - Pages 5-8 list all essential businesses

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb gave a new address at noon Monday updating plans to reduce the spread of COVID-19 ordering Hoosiers to stay at home.  Hoosiers are mandated to  stay at home between March 25, 2020-April 20, 2020 unless they work for an essential business or are traveling to an essential business.

  Click for frequently asked questions concerning the 'Stay at Home Order'.

  Review Governor's Stay at Home Order - Pages 5-8 list all essential businesses

Update April 20, 2020

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb gave a new address at noon Monday updating plans to reduce the spread of COVID-19 ordering Hoosiers to stay at home.

The order is in effect from March 25 to May 1st.

Hoosiers should stay in their homes except when they are at work or for permitted activities, such as taking care of others, obtaining necessary supplies, and for health and safety.

“The next two weeks are critical if we are to slow the spread of COVID-19, and we must slow the spread. You must be part of the solution, not the problem,” said Gov. Holcomb.

  Great resource posted by White County United Way.  It will be updated often at their website.  Review and download this information directory.

• Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb gave a new address at noon Monday updating plans to reduce the spread of COVID-19 ordering Hoosiers to stay at home.  The order is in effect from March 25 to April 7.   Review the Governor's Order.
  • Review the FAQs about the 'Stay at Home' order.
• Mayor Cathy Gross has declared a pulbic health/local disaster emergency.  Review the full announcement here.
• Indiana Primary Election has been postponed from Tuesday, May 5th to Tuesday, June 2nd.  Review the full announcement here.

City

• Beginning Tuesday, March 24th, only essential city employees will be in offices.

  Review the Mayor's Press Release declaring emergency - March 22, 2020 (Updated March 24, 2020)

Monday, March 23, 2020

Mayor Cathy Gross, City of Monticello, has updated the declaration to include a notice about City Employees.  This addition was made following the Governor's 'Stay at Home' Executive Order.  Please click above link for updated declaration.
 
Sunday, March 22, 2020

Mayor Cathy Gross, City of Monticello, is declaring a public health/local disaster emergency effective Sunday, March 22, 2020 following the lead of the White County Board of Commissioners.

There is a local disaster/emergency throughout the city, specifically linked to the spread of COVID-19.

Monticello and its departments will continue to cooperate with White County, the Indiana State Department of Health, the State of Indiana and other local governments and organizations in their efforts to address this health emergency.

The purpose of this declaration is to facilitate future financial reimbursement, funding assistance, supplies and other assistance as are made available through the State and Federal Government due to the health emergency.

The City of Monticello reminds everyone to continue to maintain a high level of awareness as to the appropriate measures to protect against the spread of the virus.  "Social Distancing" remains critical for success.  We will continue to work together to protect our residents and employees.

  Great resource posted by White County United Way.  It will be updated often at their website.  Review and download this information directory.

The Governor is extending the State of Emergency in Indiana to May 5th.  The Governor's order includes information on unemployment insurance, housing, social services, veterans, etc.  Please take time to review the March 19th Governor's Order summarized here.

This afternoon, the Governor working with the State of Indiana Party Chairs have agreed to move the date of this year's Indiana Primary Election from Tuesday, May 5th to Tuesday, June 2nd.  Review the full announcement here.

Local

The City of Monticello has opened a web page with COVID-19 News and Resources concerning people with disabilities.

Twin Lakes School Corporation - Free Grab and Go Lunches for the entire next week will have a pickup on Monday, March 23rd.  Please click and fill out form to reserve lunches for next week (Link active until midnight on Sunday).

Resources
For those of you who want to dig deeper on the Coronavirus.  A YouTube video discussing the spread, attack and diagnostics of this virus strain.  The first 10-15 minutes is interesting.

The City of Monticello has opened a page with resources and news affecting small businesses in our community in regards to COVID-19.  In addition to this page, we encourage you to visit the following sites:

Please visit the news/resource page here.

  Indiana Small Business Development Center
  U.S. Small Business Association - Disaster Assistance

You may also consider registering to receive updates from the SBA.

The City of Monticello has opened a page with COVID-19 resources and news affecting people with disabilities in our community.  In addition to this page, we encourage you to visit the following sites:

Please visit the news/resource page here.

  Great resource posted by White County United Way.  It will be updated once a day at their website.  Review and download this services update.

The Governor is extending the State of Emergency in Indiana to May 5th.  The Governor's order includes information on unemployment insurance, housing, social services, veterans, etc.  Please take time to review the Governor's Order summarized here.

Local

Carroll White REMC - Disonnection for non-payment is suspended and lobbies in Monticello and Delphi are closed to the public until further notice.  Payments can be made through our Monticello Drive-Up Window, Delphi kiosk, Smarthub (online) as well as pay by phone.  Members can call 800-844-7161.
Per Governor's Executive Order, no essential utility services may be disconnected while under a State of Emergency (includes electric, gas, telecom, broadband, water, and wastewater).
IU White Memorial Hospital - IU Health has made additional updates to temporary visitor restrictions. Beginning Sunday, March 15, 2020, no visitors will be permitted at Indiana University Health Hospitals. To streamline the screening process, IU Health White Memorial Hospital is directing all patients to the Emergency Entrance for screening.

Twin Lakes School Corporation

Per Governor's Executive Order, public schools will remain closed until May 1st.
Per Governor's Executive Order, all state mandated tests will be cancelled for the current academic year.
Free Grab and Go Lunches for the entire next week will have a pickup on Monday, March 23rd.  Please click and fill out form to reserve lunches for next week (Link active until midnight on Sunday).

State

Per Governor's Executive Order, state income tax payments delayed.  Now due July 15th (just like Federal Income Tax).

County
No Peddlers - White County Govt. Officials, together with local Government Officials have determined, for the protection of our citizens, no Peddlers Permits will be issued in White County, nor will any previously issued permits be honored, until further notice.  If you suspect peddler activity in your neighborhood, please contact your local law enforcement.
Per Governor's Executive Order, penalties on property tax, paid after May 11th, will be waived for sixty days.

Beginning March 18, 2020, The Monticello-Union Township Public Library will be closed to the public. In an ongoing effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the library will temporarily cease in-person services. Access to the library’s online services, such as INSPIRE and the Digital Collections, will continue to be available without interruption. Please check back for updates on this situation as it develops.

Library Book Drop is available. Patrons may keep the items until we reopen. No overdue fines will be assessed from March 13, 2020 forward.

Sincerely,

Tina Emerick, Director
Monticello-Union Public Library

 

City

Monticello Public Library - The library will be closed until further notice on Wednesday, March 18th.  Online Services, such as INSPIRE and Digital Collections are available.  See the library website for more information.
Free Lunches - Twin Lakes School Corporation is providing free school lunch pickup for students 18 years old or under at Roosevelt Middle School from 2pm-4pm.  Pickup begins tomorrow.  Please visit this page to request a lunch(es).
The Twin Lakes School Pantry - For the families of Twin Lakes School there will be an extra food distribution from the Twin Lakes School Pantry on Wednesday March 18 from 2:00 to 6:00 at Woodlawn door 4. Contact Patty Godlove cell (765) 543-9188 with questions.   See this post on donating to the pantry.

County

Senior Center - The Senior Center will be open for Public Transit needs/requests only.  All senior lunches, planned activities, and free-tax preparation (gatherings) have been cancelled until further notice.
White County Building & County Offices - The White County Board of Commissioners are closing White County Government Buildings to the public effective March 18, 2020 to curtail the spread of COVID-19.Essential County business that cannot be conducted remotely will be either postponed or arranged at the department head’s discretion. White County Government office contact information is displayed on the County website and will be posted on the door of each County building. See http://www.whitecountyin.us for more information concerning meetings and courts.

State - Workforce/Unemployment Information

The Indiana Dept. of Workforce Development would like to assist employers, workers, and agents during this emergency.  If you are temporarily closing or reducing worker hours, please encourage your employees to file for unemployment insurance benefits.  They must do this online, through a computer or smart phone.  They should visit unemployment.in.gov for Frequently Asked Questions, video tutorials, and a link to file for unemployment insurance.   Review FAQs in our Coronavirus & Business Section.

National

The White House and CDC (Fed. Govt.) released a helpful, brief document called '15 Days to Slow the Spread'.  Review it here.

These are highlights of today's news that affects our local community.  Please check National and State websites for more detail information.  Links are listed in the web resources area on this page.

Local closings reported include the United Methodist Church and Parks Programs.  See closings

State of Indiana - Directives from Governor Holcomb

• Recommends no in-person events of more than 50 people. (Update March 17 - CDC [Fed. Gov.] guidelines are more than 10 people.)
• Bars, nightclubs and restaurants are required to close to in-person patrons and may provide take-out and delivery services through the end of March
• Hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers should cancel and/or postpone elective and non-urgent surgical procedures immediately.
• The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites will close to the public beginning Tuesday. Indiana state parks and recreation centers, including state park inns, remain open. Restaurants will convert operations to take-out and delivery.

Please visit the following web page for more of the Governor's recommendations including information on unemployment insurance, etc.